November 23
Railroad
Coupler Day
Neither a wise man
nor a brave man lies
down on the tracks of history
to wait for the train
of the future
to run over him.
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
How in the world did the train coupler get its own holiday? Well, the holiday is in honor a the patent filed for a particular type of automatic coupler on this day in 1897. Andrew Beard, who’d been born a slave, received $50,000 for his Jenny Coupler that did the dangerous job of hooking rail cars together without a person needing to be in harm’s way. His invention saved untold numbers of limbs and lives. Mr. Beard had himself lost a leg in a coupling accident. Couldn’t find any clue to its being named Jenny. I like to imagine it might have been the name of a woman who saved him (metaphorically), just as the Jenny Coupler saved others. Thank you., Mr. Beard.*
Train Wheel Smiley
Just ’cause I love trains.
Birthdays today include Harpo Marx (1888), Robin Roberts (1960), and Miley Cyrus (1922). That’s quite the varied crowd. The last one made a Smiley without even knowing it. I call it Pasty, Pasty, Thong. You have to click to see it. Not being a prude, just be conscious that lots of school teachers share the Smiley-a-Day with their classroom.
Today is also Espresso Day. I am all over that one. I will however skip Cranberry Day, too bitter for me. Coffee can be bitter too, but I do so love a nice cup of warm soy milk and coffee in the morning.
Iced Espresso Smiley
Plus, as is often the case, the Train Smiley you get in the Smiley-a-Day emailer is different from what you see here.
Today is Pencil Sharpener Day. The patent for the pencil sharpener was filed this day in 1897. Here’s a big AHA moment (Sorry, Oprah. No deep life lesson here.). When you go to empty your electric pencil sharpener, put the whole thing in a bag or in the garbage can so when you open the little drawer full of shavings, all the mess is contained.
*Every “Thank you” deserves a “You’re Welcome.” Check it out at a month full of Smiley Silliness.
DID I MISS ANY GOOFY, SILLY, UPBEAT HOLIDAYS??
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